Our Venerable Father Simeon of the “Mountain of Wonders” (596)
Acts 23:1-11; John 16:15-23.
Read John 16:15-23
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Jesus’ disciples were confused when He said: “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father” (Jn. 16:16). Here, Jesus was making a prediction about His upcoming death, Resurrection, and Ascension. He assures them that they will “weep and lament” and “be sorrowful” but “their sorrow will be turned to joy,” providing the analogy of a mother in labor. A mother in labor experiences tremendous pain, but the joy her newborn child brings makes it all worthwhile. Similarly, the disciples suffered and mourned when Christ was arrested, crucified, and buried, but the joy they experienced upon His Resurrection overcame all the sorrow. Christ, having conquered death, will never be subject to death again. The joy we have now in Him and His Resurrection “no one will take” from us. Being united to Christ, we will share in His Resurrection.
During our lives we face so many obstacles and tragedies. We experience true grief and sorrow. As Christians, we must center our focus on Christ and remember that He is victorious. Our grief and sorrow will be turned to joy. It can be hard to remember this in the midst of pain, but even in the painful moments, God is with us and reminds us of His promises to us. As Christians, we should be people of joy and hope, believing firmly in the Resurrection of Christ and witnessing to it by the conduct of our lives.